gion
it selfe is a byword, a moking-stock, & a matter of reproach; so that in
England at this day the man or woman y^t begines to profes Religion, &
to serve God, must resolve with him selfe to sustaine_ [5] _mocks &
injueries even as though he lived amongst y^e enimies of Religion._ And
this co[=m]one experience hath confirmed & made too apparente.

_A late observation, as it were by the way, worthy to be Noted._[G]

Full litle did I thinke, y^t the downfall of y^e Bishops, with their
courts, cannons, & ceremonies, &c. had been so neare, when I first
begane these scribled writings (which was aboute y^e year 1630, and so
peeced up at times of leasure afterward), or that I should have lived
to have seene or heard of y^e same; but it is y^e Lords doing, and
ought to be marvelous in our eyes! Every plante which mine heavenly
father hath not planted (saith our Saviour) shall be rooted up. Mat:
15. 13.[H] I have snared the, and thou art taken, O Babell (Bishops),
and thou wast not aware; thou art found, and also caught, because thou
hast striven against the Lord. Jer. 50. 24. But will they needs strive
against y^e truth, against y^e servants of God; what, & against the
Lord him selfe? Doe they provoke the Lord to anger? Are they stronger
than he? 1. Cor: 10. 22. No, no, they have mete with their match.
Behold, I come unto y^e, O proud man, saith the Lord God of hosts; for
thy day is come, even the time that I will visite the. Jer: 50. 31.
May not the people of God now say (and these pore people among y^e
rest), The Lord hath brought forth our righteousnes; come, let us
declare in Sion the work of the Lord our God. Jer: 51. 10. Let all
flesh be still before the Lord; for he is raised up out of his holy
place. Zach: 2. 13.

In this case, these poore people may say (among y^e thousands of
Israll), _When the Lord brougt againe the captivite of Zion, we were
like them that dreame. Psa: 126. 1. The Lord hath done greate things
for us, wherof we rejoyce. v. 3. They that sow in teares, shall reap
in joye. They wente weeping, and carried precious seede, but they
shall returne with joye, and bring their sheaves, v. 5, 6._

Doe you not now see y^e fruits of your labours, O all yee servants of
y^e Lord that have suffered for his truth, and have been faithfull
witneses of y^e same, and yee litle handfull amongst y^e rest, y^e
least amongest y^e thousands of Israll? You have n